Considering co-parenting or using a known donor? How counsellors may hep

There are many issues to consider for parents considering conceiving with a known donor or co-parent. With a minefield of information to navigate, parents can be left asking: what do we need to know? How do we set things up? How do we avoid problems in the future? Where conception takes place at a fertility clinic, counsellors can play a key role in answering these questions. In the light of the recent landmark decision on known sperm donation, BICA – the association for UK fertility counsellors – asked NatalieGambleAssociates (NGA) to give some guidance on what fertility counsellors need to know about the law on known donation, to help them do their job effectively. Nicola Scott's recent article in the BICA journal gives an overview of UK law and the implications of the case, and explains how early intervention by fertility counsellors can shape known donor arrangements positively by encouraging parents and donors to iron out potential issues and mismatched expectations at an early stage. You can read the full article here NatalieGambleAssociates advise parents on a wide spectrum of arrangements by clarifying not only the legal issues but also the practical aspects which are all too often overshadowed. Please see our donor conception pages for more information, or contact us to discuss your arrangement and options here Article: www.nataliegambleassiciates.co.uk

Gay and Lesbian co-parenting - Do we need more legal recognition?

Invitation to Participate in an Exciting New Study Researchers at the University of Exeter are conducting research into what the study calls ‘platonic parenting’ within the LGBT community. ‘Platonic parenting’ is where children are being raised by adults not all of whom are in an intimate relationship. For example, a gay male couple may have a child with a female friend, all three of whom could be involved in raising the child. We are particularly interested in the reasons why people would or would not engage in this type of parenting arrangement and your views on the legal recognition of such families. We are looking for participants to take part in a confidential 45-minute telephone/face-to-face interview to discuss these issues. This project is supported by the Economic and Social Research Council and will adhere to strict ethical guidelines. All information from the interviews will be stored anonymously and treated as confidential. Interested in being involved in the research? If so, we’d love you to complete our short survey if you – • are currently raising a child, either as a single person or part of a couple, together with a friend or acquaintance. OR • have ever considered raising a child with a friend or acquaintance. OR • may consider this type of parenting arrangement in the future. We are particularly keen to hear from people parenting in this way within the LGBT community but we encourage anyone who is interested in the research issues to complete the survey. For more information about the study and for a link to the short preliminary survey about you and your family please visit: www.platonicparents.co.uk or e mail Philip Bremner at pdb203@exeter.ac.uk. Thank you! Article: 18th September 2012 www.platonicparents.co.uk